Scottish Gemmological Association conference, 2024
Our 2024 Conference will run from Friday the 3rd of May to Monday the 6th of May.
All enquiries welcome!
Once again, our venue will be just outside Cumbernauld at The DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa and Golf Resort, which we usually just refer to as The Westerwood.
We will be accepting bookings from January, but will not be sending out invoices before the 24th of February. Early Bird prices will only apply until the 7th. March. Receipt of the Booking Form will be acknowledged and sent out together with the Westerwood Hotel online Accommodation Booking Code.
The invoices will be sent out in the order bookings were received together with the Workshop Request Form and the Monday Field Trip Form for completion and return.
Payment of invoices showing Early Bird prices must be made by the 21st of March, otherwise full prices will come into effect. Please note that our cancellation policies are stated on the Booking Form.
The Hotel
This year, after you have booked your place at the Conference, you will receive a link to the hotel’s online 24/7 booking line.
The four-star Westerwood Hotel is set amid acres of glorious Scottish countryside overlooked by the Campsie Hills and offers a stunning location with luxurious leisure facilities and excellent conference spaces - not to mention an 18-hole golf course designed by none other than Seve Ballesteros.
There are 148 spacious bedrooms, complemented by a luxurious spa and health club, complete with a fully-equipped gym, a generously sized swimming pool and a relaxing sauna. We have reserved their standard rooms for our Delegates, but if you wish, you can request an upgrade when booking. We have negotiated the same preferential rates if you want to arrive a day or so early or stay on for a day or two. To discuss upgrades and additional nights, it is best to call the hotel (+44(0) 1236 457171) and ask for the Events Office.
Single room, bed and breakfast: £87
Double / Twin room, bed and breakfast: £119
Triple room, bed and breakfast: £145
The en-suite bathrooms mostly come with separate bath and shower facilities and rooms are easily accessible, although there are a few rooms designated as fully accessible available with additional accessibility facilities, <https://www.thewesterwoodhotel.co.uk/access-statement/>.
If you wish to play the Westerwood Golf Course, bookings can be made through Reception in advance on a first come, first served basis and a preferential Delegates rate applies. There are usually a few delegates looking for fellow golfers to play a round - just ask when booking Golf clubs, (right or left handed!) can be hired by special request.
Transport
If coming by road, the Westerwood Hotel is located just off the M80 at Junction 6 as shown on the map above. If you are driving, please remember to record your car registration at Hotel Reception!
The nearest railway station is at Croy, about three miles away. This is on the main line between Edinburgh and Glasgow. If travelling through Glasgow, please be aware that there are two railway stations, Queen Street and Central, which are a few minutes walk apart, but both stations offer services to Croy / Cumbernauld.
There is a train service between Prestwick Airport and Glasgow (which takes about 1 hour) and there is an express bus service between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station which has stops near both railway stations. Glasgow Airport is about thirty minutes away by taxi. Prestwick Airport is about an hour away by taxi. A taxi from Cumbernauld / Croy Railway Station to the Westerwood Hotel costs about £8.00.
Edinburgh Airport is about a forty minute taxi ride away, or a tram or bus ride will take you towards Edinburgh for a train connection. There is a limited bus service between the airport and Cumbernauld.
A local (Cumbernauld) taxi company (Central Taxis 01236 722772) can be pre-booked to collect from these Airports. You will be asked for your flight number and a contact phone number.
2024 Airport to Westerwood Hotel fares are estimated as:
Glasgow Airport from about £40.00
Edinburgh Airport from about £56.00
Prestwick Airport from £80.00
Uber fares start about the same level.
Taking an airport taxi will be significantly more expensive, e.g Edinburgh Airport to the Westerwood Hotel, estimated at about £90, depending on time of day and traffic.